I have heard alot of people talking about the fear of the endoscopy procedure but I have not really heard anyone talking about the fear of finding something serious. The thought of that sends me into severe panic attacks.

You make a good point. A lot of people I talk to are so worried about the procedure itself and less about what can be found out during the procedure. I'm sorry the worry makes you feel this way. Are you due for an endoscopy?

My problems began intermittenly (Sp) around 3 years ago. My 15 year old was killed last May and my problems escolated. Around October of last year out of the blue I started having problems swallowing. I went to the doc and they put me on perscription prilosec and the problems seemed to subside.

The swallowing problems have started up again but the funny thing is that its not with every thing. Some times I eat with no problems and other times its a chore. What I think I may have is an HH because when I bend over it feels like a pinching down near my stomach like something being squished if thats a correct term or not.

My 52 year old sis was diagnosed back in May with Barretts but that is after years of drinking, perscription drug abuse and smoking.

I did suffer with Bulemia for 15 years and that is why I am so worried.

I am sorry Autumn I did not mean anything and if I offened you I am terribly sorry. I wasn't thinking and just realized that people are out there who want answers as to why they are feeling so bad so it can be treated.

I am a hypochondriac and my fears are always the worst case scenario being of course EC.

I know that the fear of a test can cause panic... But finding something can be as scary.. I found out in Oct of last year that I had Crohn's disease on top of everything else.. So to me know the fear of what they find can be scary than the test itself... But that is just me and I am not bashing anyone for being scared cause I use to be that way...

29 y/o Female Diagnosed with Crohn's October 2005 (symptoms for as long as I can remember) & Gerd 1996Currently taking - 6mp 50mg per day, Pentasa 1000mg 2x per day, Remicade every 8 weeks (but need it sooner), Tramadol prn, Phenergan prn, Nexium, Prozac, Nordette, Multi-Vit, and Digestive Advantage for IBD. "What doesn't kill us - sometimes drop kicks us into a new and better place - a place we mightn't have gotten to any other way."- Unknownhttp://www.myspace.com/chroniechick

I was also one of the people scared of both the procedure and the endoscopy. Though I am just in my twenties, I've had acid reflux for 5 years, I used to smoke, I eat nothing but acid producing food, and basically did everything wrong, not to mention my Lyme disease medications are extremely harsh on my stomach, so I was shocked when only gastritis and mild irritation were found. And I've also had the swallowing issues. So I guess even if you think your symptoms may be causing issues, they really may not be, you won't know until the doctor takes a peek. And I also have a mild case of hypochondriasis.

I am sorry to hear about your 15 year old.We will get by....We will survive -The Dead

Marsha - I am so very sorry about your child. Any depression and grief and upset can make physical illness worse. Let us know how you get on at the doctors and i know its easy for me to say but try not to worry as this will make the problem worse.Keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

My son Chris' accident was completely avoidable. He and his friend Scott were walking home from school. Another friend pulled up next to them in his mother's car I will also add that the friend was an unlicnsed 17 year old who got permission to drive from his mom. He was driving a mazda protege that was already full of kids. The boys wanted a ride so they jumped into the trunk. The car had way too much weight in at and the driver was trying to show off and giggled the steering wheel. He lost control of the car and crashed into a tree in the center divider and the trunk popped open and Chris and Scott were thrown into opposing traffic and hit by a van and basically killed instantly.

We have been working with law makers to get stiffer penalties out for this type of incident. The boy that was driving only got 9 months in a juvenille camp and his mother wasn't prosecuted or anything either. As a matter of fact October's edition of Seventeen magazine did an article on my son's accident. We have also come to find that kids do this all the time its called "Trunking". I had never heard of this type of thing until Chris' accident. We also created a web site christopherdavidsnyder.com.

Thanks for listening I needed to talk though I know this is not the board for it

That is a terrible accident. I agree with the stiffer penalties, and hope that something will become of this. Is the article in this year's (next month) Seventeen magazine?We will get by....We will survive -The Dead

I am so sorry Marsha. I can not imagine what it is like to lose a son. He will never die while you are alive as you carry him in your heart.

I don't consider myself to be a hypochondriac but I am beginning to wonder what is going on with my gastritis situation. I guess they found the blood because I have violent coughing because of asthma, viruses, and all that good stuff. Still...it is kind of scary but I am brave.

Best wishes to all...WE ARE A BAND OF THROATS AND ALL VERY BRAVE PEOPLE.

Thanks again for everything. I know we are all dealing with our own crap with our digestive problems. What is so hard is that people take there health for granted. You can have all the money in the world but that is not going to protect you from illness or tragedy. I have learned from this is not to take life for granted and I try to remember each day to kiss and tell everyone close that I love them before going off to work.

The last note on my son is that I dropped him off at school at 7:30 in the morning. I remember looking over my shoulder and watching as he crossed them steet. Almost 12 hours to the minute later we unhooked his life support.

Tomorrow I am going to the doc and getting a referral to Gastro. I cannot go on like this any more. The stess of all of these stomach issues is debilitaing and almost makes it so I can barely work. I have issues literally from throat though my GI tract.